M.A. in Business Communication

Master of Arts (M.A.) in Business Communication

Preparing professionals to support and advance business strategy through communication excellence and leadership.

About Our Program

Rider’s 33-credit M.A. in Business Communication focuses on the application of communication skills within a business context. Students will learn to better understand and leverage communication strategies to achieve organizational goals. The program will introduce students to best practices in business communication, and engage them in “real life” current issues and scenarios faced by professionals on the job.

Students also benefit from Rider’s central location between New York City and Philadelphia, which connects them to the business, financial and cultural nexus of Princeton and the burgeoning Route 1 corridor.

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Program Format

Classes are offered weekday evenings on Rider’s Lawrenceville Campus, enabling students to earn their degree while working full-time. The entire 33-credit program can be completed in two years (including summers), depending on the student’s course load.

Program Competencies

Participants in the M.A. in Business Communication program will have the opportunity to learn how to:

Manage communication for the greatest impact on organizational performance and organizational culture;

Produce work that translates into the professional marketplace

Who Should Apply

Recent graduates with majors in fields such as marketing, advertising or public relations will find this program an excellent foundation for long-term success and a competitive advantage as they begin their career. Communication is the top-ranked skill by corporate leaders for success in all areas of business enterprise. This program gives recent graduates practical insights into the business context of communication and hands-on experience in its implementation.

The M.A. in Business Communication also is ideally suited to current communication professionals who are interested in advancing their skills and credentials in order to assume an expanded leadership role within their organization. Business professionals in other operational areas who want to develop their general communication skills within the context of their organization’s goals will also benefit from the program’s relevant and practical focus. Current professionals looking to enhance their portfolios would also be ideal candidates for this program. You will receive professional consultations with the faculty to better tailor your work to fit your professional goals.

Capstone (3 credits)
A combination of experience and research, based on workplace visits, interactions with professionals, and creative project development.

Faculty

The M.A. in Business Communication program is led by a highly credentialed faculty whose members bring rich professional experience in business as well as outstanding academic backgrounds to the classroom. Many are published authors, hold positions of leadership in regional and national professional organizations, and are sought after by businesses and organizations for their expertise as consultants and advisors.

For information about Business Communication:

Dr. Brown, who has professional experience in journalism and public relations, teaches writing, reporting, public relations, law and ethics. Her research is on 20th-century journalism history, the African-American press, and the law of cyberspace.

Admission Information

All applications must include:

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, with a minimum CGPA of 2.7

Application fee of $50 (non-refundable)

Two professional letters of recommendation

Official transcripts from every college or university attended.

A current resume

500-1500 word statement of aims and objectives that indicates your reasons for pursuing graduate study in business communication.

Personal interview by invitation, following an initial screening by the Admission Office

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores, if English is not your native language, and you did not attend a U.S. university for a previous undergraduate or graduate degree program.